Tattoos have undergone a remarkable transformation in public perception. Emerging in the 19th century with connotations of criminality and deviance, they are now a widespread form of self-expression. Recent statistics suggest that a significant portion of the younger adult population, approximately 38% of those aged 18 to 29, sport at least one tattoo. This prevalence begs the question: what drives individuals to get tattoos?
A study led by psychologist Luzelle Naudé at the University of the Free State in South Africa delved into this very question. Naudé and her team explored the motivations behind college students’ decisions to get or abstain from tattoos, alongside their broader perceptions of tattooing. This research offers valuable insights into the evolving cultural significance of tattoos and the diverse reasons individuals choose to adorn their bodies with ink.
To investigate these motivations and perceptions, Naudé’s research team engaged senior college students enrolled in a psychology research methods course. Participants completed questionnaires detailing their personal experiences with tattoos. This included whether they themselves had tattoos, the prevalence of tattoos among their friends, their motivations for getting or not getting tattoos, and their general opinions on tattooed individuals. Following the questionnaires, participants were invited for in-depth interviews to further explore their perspectives on tattoos.
The study revealed compelling trends. A majority of participants (78%) were not tattooed, mirroring their parents’ even higher rate of tattoo abstention (92%). However, a significant 74% of participants’ friends had tattoos, and nearly half (47%) were contemplating getting inked themselves, or adding to existing tattoos. This highlights a potential generational shift in tattoo acceptance and prevalence within social circles.
Motivations for and against getting tattoos were almost evenly split among participants, with 47% expressing positive reasons and 50% negative. For those who chose to get tattoos, the predominant motivation, cited by 25%, was the deep personal meaning associated with the tattoo. These tattoos often served as markers of significant life events or personal struggles. Participants shared reasons such as commemorating a mother’s memory, honoring the birth of a child, or visually representing a transformative period in their lives. A further 12% viewed tattoos as an integral expression of their identity and who they are. One participant eloquently stated, “My body is a book, my tattoos is my story,” encapsulating this sentiment of tattoos as personal narratives etched onto the skin. The artistic appeal of tattoos was also a motivating factor for some.
Conversely, participants who opted against tattoos primarily cited social and cultural factors, notably religious beliefs (11%). One participant explained, “I am a religious person so my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I’d like to keep clean.” Another echoed this sentiment, stating, “I am a Christian, it is conflicting as in the Christian religion to treat and respect one’s body as a temple.” These responses underscore the influence of religious doctrine on decisions regarding body modification.
Other deterrents included anticipated disapproval from family and friends, and concerns about negative repercussions in professional settings. Permanence of tattoos and the perception that they become unattractive with age were also concerns for 10% of participants. Fear of needles and pain, along with medical considerations, also accounted for 10% of the reasons for avoiding tattoos. Furthermore, some participants simply found tattoos aesthetically unappealing. One participant offered a striking analogy: “I wouldn’t get one. Would you put a bumper sticker on a Ferrari?”
When participants were asked about their opinions on tattoos and tattooed individuals, the overall sentiment was largely non-judgmental. A majority (54%) expressed positive opinions, 18% held mixed feelings, 13% had negative opinions, and 15% were neutral or indifferent. Most respondents demonstrated respect for the choices of tattooed individuals. One participant’s comment, “They’re cool and all, just not for me,” exemplified this tolerant perspective.
Interestingly, when asked about their perceptions of others’ opinions on tattoos, a different picture emerged. Most participants believed that the general public held either mixed or negative views (39% and 35% respectively), contrasting with only 17% who believed public opinion to be positive. This suggests a potential awareness of lingering societal stigma surrounding tattoos, even among those personally accepting of them.
Those who voiced negative views used strong language to describe tattoos as “ugly,” “trashy,” “messy,” “cheap,” and “filthy.” Similarly, negative perceptions of tattooed individuals included labels like “evil,” “satanic,” “dangerous,” “rebellious,” “ungodly,” “stupid,” “reckless,” “unprofessional,” “weird,” “not-Christian,” and associated with “criminality,” “cruelty,” being “showoffs,” “outcasts,” “anti-social,” “bereft of morals,” and “defiant of society.” One respondent asserted, “They just got a tattoo because they were rebelling or they are bad*ss.” Another suggested, “They want to feel a sense of belonging, attention and want to be feared,” attributing deeper, often negative, motivations to the act of getting tattooed.
Conversely, participants with positive views saw tattoos as “attractive” and tattooed individuals as “cool,” “trendy,” “fashionable,” “interesting,” “spontaneous,” “creative,” “artistic,” “free-spirited,” “more open/accepting,” “liberal,” “adventurous,” “brave,” “strong,” “courageous,” and “unafraid of commitment and pain.” One particularly enthusiastic participant declared, “People with tattoos are the realest people [you] ever will meet,” highlighting a perception of authenticity associated with tattoos.
Some participants expressed “conditional perceptions,” indicating acceptance of tattoos under specific circumstances. Personal meaning or self-expression were generally seen as valid reasons for getting tattoos. However, negativity arose when considering professional contexts or older individuals with tattoos. One participant commented, “For young people, it is stylish and cool, but when they grow old and they have tattoos it looks disgusting and inappropriate as if they are getting old but do not want to accept by still liking things. In the workplace, tattoos are not appropriate and the person may seem unprofessional, or not serious about his/her career.” These conditional views reflect ongoing societal norms and expectations regarding age and professional image.
Concerns were also raised regarding the number, size, and placement of tattoos. One respondent admitted skepticism towards individuals with extensive tattoos, stating, “I must admit, I tend to be skeptical of someone who has an arm/leg/back full of tattoos (usually patterns) – in my opinion, there is something as too many tattoos.” However, they found tattoos with personal significance more acceptable: “However, if someone had tattoos which meant something to them (e.g., a name of a person who has passed on or a logo symbolizing an important event in their lives) that’s perfectly fine – something I might consider getting myself in the future.” This nuanced perspective highlights the importance of perceived meaning and moderation in tattoo acceptance.
Among participants who had tattoos, the overwhelming majority reported no negative consequences and no regrets. Regrets, when expressed, typically stemmed from poor tattoo quality due to unskilled artists, tattoos that were too large or aesthetically displeasing, or issues related to pain, permanence, or regrettable choices like ex-partner’s names.
Most tattooed participants perceived any prejudice they encountered as insignificant. One participant’s defiant attitude was evident in their statement, “So I feel like I would be like ‘ah so you don’t like it … so what?’ I have to wake up in this body in the morning, not you.” Another emphasized the changing demographics of tattoo recipients, asserting, “They should get over their prejudices. There are plenty of highly educated and intelligent people with tattoos.”
The sentiment expressed by author Michael Biondi, “Our bodies were printed as blank pages to be filled with the ink of our hearts,” resonates deeply with the findings of this study. While Biondi’s words may not have been intended as social commentary, this research lends empirical support to the idea that for many, tattoos are a meaningful and deeply personal form of expression, etched onto the canvas of their bodies.
